Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-27-215: Security for purchase money

(a) The installments of purchase money shall be secured by note, with good personal security, and a lien retained on the land until the whole amount is paid.

(b) The lien for the purchase money subsists until the whole is paid, notwithstanding any omission to reserve such lien, either in the decree or titles made in compliance with the orders of the court.